The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) requires closing Kato Road between Milmont Drive and Warm Springs Boulevard in Fremont for nine months beginning April 30, 2012. No thru traffic will be allowed for vehicles, pedestrians or bicycles. Local access to businesses and residents along Kato Road will be maintained.

A full closure of the road is necessary to construct improvements (a grade separation) which will separate vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic from current Union Pacific Railroad freight trains and future BART service. This project is the first of 11 grade separations that are part of corridor preparation for the BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project. The project will bring long-term safety and mobility improvements to the city of Fremont.

Automobile, pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be required to use Dixon Landing Road in Milpitas as a detour. Signal timing modifications and additional turn lanes will be added to the Scott Creek/Warm Springs and Warm Springs/Dixon Landing intersections. These improvements will help alleviate increased traffic flow during the morning and evening commute.

During the closure, excavation of the existing roadway will commence to lower Kato Road beneath the existing freight railroad tracks. Construction will also begin on three bridges, one for the existing freight, one for future BART service and the third for maintenance and access to the future system. Construction will occur six days-a-week, Monday through Saturday.

"Upon completion of the nine-month road closure, traffic will easily move beneath the new bridges," said Carolyn Gonot, BART Silicon Valley Program Officer. "This project will relieve traffic congestion in the Warm Springs community and help pave the way for BART Silicon Valley."